The carousel continues. Always liked Redman, but he just didn;t bring it when we needed him to, last year or this. Some very good traits, but clearly a complementary guy only. And Dwyer, when challenged, was able to come back and try again; after the "concussion," it seemed like the coaches thought Dwyer had quit. And maybe he is injured, who knows with these things.

Redman had an uncanny knack for those tough yards, against very stout Ravens' defensive fronts. Injuries, fumbles, a sort of hesitation entered in. For a while there, it looked like we would just keep digging up these UDFA guys (FWP, Redman) to rush for us...

I was using Spotrac to calculate dead money if we cut or traded Woodley, and I think either their or my math was wrong. Found a new site that seems pretty accurate - if he's a June 1 cut, it's $5.5M in dead money... but we free up $8M overall.

When he plays, he can still be productive. When he plays. I'd make Worilds, who's 4 years younger, the priority. Keep Worilds, develop Jones. This may be the kind of hard choice the off-season requires: cut Woodley, and move on.

Call up Jimmy Haslam, who has Steelers FO ties, and trade our 1.15 and 2.46 for Cleveland's 1.26, 2.35, and 3.71. Maybe they move up for Ebron or some similar. Traditional value chart would tilt this Pitt giving up 1490 and Cleve only 1485, close enough and more picks for us; maybe a better metric would put it as Pitt giving 417.5, getting 510.9.

1.26. ILB Ryan Shazier, OSU (ranked 31 at NFLDS/CBS). I now have Shazier ranked higher than Mosley due to injury concerns. Shazier has the speed to cover and is active all over the field, flies & hits. Can transition from OLB but needs to add some weight. Upgrade to the middle immediately.2.35. WR Donte Moncrief, Ole Miss (67). No idea why he's not being ranked top 5, which IMO he most certainly is. Size, speed, playmaker. Good hands. Think Wallace: not as fast, better routes and hands.3.71. CB Pierre Desir, Lindenwood (73). Been on my radar for months. Size prospect who can man the outside. 3 (Comp). TE CJ Fiedorowicz, Iowa (105). Not productive at Iowa, but good size, hands, and ability to separate; may be a better pro, lots of upside. 4.114. S Dion Bailey, USC (124). One year at FS after playing LB, big hitter, has some ball skills, might be better at SS. Future tandem of Shark and Bailey brings pain.5.145. OLB Prince Shembo, ND (145). Played DE at ND, good playmaker, solid measurables, good frame to groom to OLB.5 (comp). CB Terrence Mitchell, Ore. (164). Played opposite Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, seen as the superior CB, but for that very reason was thrown at a lot and held his own. Not a blazer, but if you're a fan of analytics his burn percentage and other pass defense numbers are at the very top of this class, so, could be a bargain developmental guy.6.176. WR/RB Dri Archer, Kent St (184). Diminutive speedster opened eyes with a 4.26 40 at the combine. Played WR, RB, KR/PR and could be a versatile component to the offense if he were to last this long. TBH I don't think he does.7.207. OL Wesley Johnson, Vandy (242). Played all 5 OL spots, and looks like a decent developmental project. Will need to add weight/muscle, but can move his feet, has a good football intelligence.

I think it's hilarious that you're suggesting a trade down. Was going to mention something along those lines so they could get back that 3rd they lost last year for Shamarko, but I didn't feel like looking up the metrics and trade possibilities. I was hoping that a trade back ~10 spots or so would net them a R2, but not sure if the numbers work. I'm guessing a team would have to have a real hard on for somebody that's still on the board at 1.15 to make that move. I just don't see an intradivisional rival wanting to do that. Does that kind of trade ever happen? Maybe SD?

Would be plenty happy with Soliai at the nose. Prob as good and maybe cheaper option than Raji.

Shazier is an interesting dude. Improved draft stock a bunch with combine pro day performances. Those guys always make me leery. ILB? Might be a little on the slight side for that role? Think I might prefer sliding Jones into the middle and putting a guy like that out on the edge to wreak havoc. Still, he feels like a little bit of a project and I'd kinda like to see a more "plug and play" guy taken in R1.

In the end, I think how active the team is in free agency will determine whether a trade back is warranted. If they shock me and sign a guy of the caliber of Verner, well, just roll with what they've got. If they dabble and/or don't do much, getting an extra pick might be necessary.

I'd be plenty happy signing Verner. I think someone with more money wins him, but who knows, we're making space.

Shaz was also highly productive at OSU, in fact it was his stats that first made me notice him compared to Mosley. I agree that his frame is a concern, but he's not afraid to get in there and make the hit. IMO that speed is just what we need over the middle, but if Jarvis inside and Shaz outside would work better, I'd be happy to give it a whirl. In any event, we need more speed, more physicality.

Colbert's comments about how deep this class is make me think he's eyeing a trade back; and the Browns are being very active early in FA, so they could easily try to trade up to make one pick top 5 and another top 15, if they have specific targets. I can't recall off-hand too many divisional trades, but the Shark trade was with the Browns, and Haslam might be amenable to talking.

I'm good with the Ike deal. Slightly surprised he's saying he's a lifer now with a 1 year deal, but I guess even he knows that the tank is almost empty, especially if he took the pay cut without testing the market.

Stone hands notwithstanding, no one can ever complain about getting a #1 corner for a decade with a 4th round pick. Except Mark "worst draft pick ever" Madden of course.

Call up Jimmy Haslam, who has Steelers FO ties, and trade our 1.15 and 2.46 for Cleveland's 1.26, 2.35, and 3.71. Maybe they move up for Ebron or some similar. Traditional value chart would tilt this Pitt giving up 1490 and Cleve only 1485, close enough and more picks for us; maybe a better metric would put it as Pitt giving 417.5, getting 510.9.

1.26. ILB Ryan Shazier, OSU (ranked 31 at NFLDS/CBS). I now have Shazier ranked higher than Mosley due to injury concerns. Shazier has the speed to cover and is active all over the field, flies & hits. Can transition from OLB but needs to add some weight. Upgrade to the middle immediately.2.35. WR Donte Moncrief, Ole Miss (67). No idea why he's not being ranked top 5, which IMO he most certainly is. Size, speed, playmaker. Good hands. Think Wallace: not as fast, better routes and hands.3.71. CB Pierre Desir, Lindenwood (73). Been on my radar for months. Size prospect who can man the outside. 3 (Comp). TE CJ Fiedorowicz, Iowa (105). Not productive at Iowa, but good size, hands, and ability to separate; may be a better pro, lots of upside. 4.114. S Dion Bailey, USC (124). One year at FS after playing LB, big hitter, has some ball skills, might be better at SS. Future tandem of Shark and Bailey brings pain.5.145. OLB Prince Shembo, ND (145). Played DE at ND, good playmaker, solid measurables, good frame to groom to OLB.5 (comp). CB Terrence Mitchell, Ore. (164). Played opposite Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, seen as the superior CB, but for that very reason was thrown at a lot and held his own. Not a blazer, but if you're a fan of analytics his burn percentage and other pass defense numbers are at the very top of this class, so, could be a bargain developmental guy.6.176. WR/RB Dri Archer, Kent St (184). Diminutive speedster opened eyes with a 4.26 40 at the combine. Played WR, RB, KR/PR and could be a versatile component to the offense if he were to last this long. TBH I don't think he does.7.207. OL Wesley Johnson, Vandy (242). Played all 5 OL spots, and looks like a decent developmental project. Will need to add weight/muscle, but can move his feet, has a good football intelligence.

I would slit someone's wrist if they went ILB at 1. 1 & 2 HAS to be cb/wr. Biggest needs, by far with most upside in this draft available...we need that game changer while we're drafting high. Plus they have Moats who's possible, Williams (who didnt suck for a rook), Spence is reportedly coming along & a willing to come back for a bag of chips Harrison (who was reported too be a beast on the inside, pre starting).

Logged

and when the gas runs out, just wreck it, you've insured the thing. -Soul Coughing

It has to be BPA, regardless. WR is deep, CB too. ILB is not. Everyone bags on Mack for not being Hampton, but his YPC allowed up the middle were solid. There's a big void at ILB that Vince Williams, bless 'is heart, was not up to as a rookie. Maybe he'll be faster this year? OK, we signed Moats, so... vet, and bigger frame, which is better than what we have on roster, and better than Shaz. But Shaz has amazing speed, and would immediately be a plus in plugging the run and covering the intermediates. I'd like Shaz to add more weight to play inside, but right now we have Timmons and the ?.

I think this mock, which is after all a thought exercise, would be an excellent haul. BTW, Steelers seem interested in my R7 guy Wesley Johnson, don't be surprised if he's a late round add.